A Milwaukee Regency judge was arrested by the FBI for allegedly helping an immigrant who did not document to avoid arrest, said the federal authority.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrest of judge Hannah Dugan before on a social media post, which was briefly deleted and re -posted.
The Milwaukeeee Circuit judge Hannah Dugan, was displayed during the candidate forum in 2016.
Mike de Sisti/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/Imagn
“Just now, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan from Milwaukee, Wisconsin with an obstruction accusation – after the evidence of the Dugan judge prevented the immigration arrest operation last week,” Patel said in a new post. “We believe that the Dugan judge deliberately directed the federal agent from the subject to be arrested at his court building, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, who allowed the subject – illegal aliens – to avoid arrests.”
Dugan was charged with two criminal charges “hindering and hampering trials before the Department or American agents” and “hiding someone to prevent their invention and arrest,” according to a criminal complaint that was not sealed Friday.
The regional court records indicated immigrants of disagreement-eduumdo Flores-Ruiz-determined to appear in court on April 18 before the Dugan for the pretrial conference in a case in which he was charged with three allegations of minor violations/domestic harassment connected to an incident on March 12.
The arrest attracted protests and punishment from Wisconsin officials who criticized the move as excessive outreach of the justice system.
According to the complaint, Dugan allegedly tried to help Flores-Ruiz avoid arrest by federal officers from the ICE task force.
When the Dugan judge learned that the ICE officer was present in court to arrest Flores-Ruiz, he became “looking angry” and said the situation was “unreasonable” before leaving the bench and entered his room, according to the complaint, who quoted witnesses who spoke to the FBI.
Judge Dugan and other unknown judges were then allegedly approaching the arrest team in the public alley, according to the complaint. He “looked upset and had a confrontative and angry attitude” and asked one of the officers whether they were present for the court’s performance, alleged complaints.
When the officer answered that they were there to make an arrest, the complaint accused Judge Dugan asked if they had a court warrant, which was responded by the officers, “No, I have an administrative warrant.”
Several witnesses quoted in the complaint were then allegedly said the Judge Dugan returned to the courtroom after directing the members of the arrest team to the office of the Judge of the Court.
“The representative of the courtroom then saw the judge Dugan rising and heard the Dugan judge saying something like ‘Wait, join me,'” said the complaint. “Although it has been told about the administrative warrant for the arrest of Flores-Ruiz, Judge Dugan then escorted Flores-Ruiz and his advisor came out of the courtroom through the ‘jury door,’ which led to the non-public area in the court building.”
An agent Dea saw Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer in the public hallway of the court building and apparently made efforts to avoid arrests, the complaint said. After he was met by the FBI and Dea agents outside the building, Flores-Ruiz “turned around and ran on the road” before he was finally arrested, according to the complaint.
Dugan was arrested on Friday morning at the Court Building, a law enforcement official who was confirmed to ABC News.
He appeared at the US District Court for the East Wisconsin District on Friday on two charges, but did not submit an application. He was released for his own recognition.
Lawyer Dugan Craig Mastantoo said in court, “Judge Dugan wholeheartedly protested the arrest and believed it was not done for the purposes of public safety.”
If it is proven on the accusation, Dugan can face six years in prison.
The arrest of the judge made the anger of the Mayor of Milwaukee Cavalier Johnson who accused the federal agent of “showboating” and argued that the Dugan was not a flight risk.
“They only try to have this power and in a court home process where people need to go for the court process, they frighten people from participating in the court process,” the Mayor told reporters.
Governor Wisconsin Tony Evers, in a statement on Friday afternoon, responded to the arrest of the Milwaukee District Judge Hannah Dugan in a statement that criticized President Donald Trump and the White House for what he said was an effort “to attack and try to damage our court at every level.”
Evers said he would continue to have confidence in the justice system “because this situation occurred in court.” He did not mention the name Dugan.
Prosecutor Federal accused Flores-Ruiz illegally entered the US of Mexico and issued an accelerated transfer order in January 2013, according to criminal complaints. Further details about the charges of domestic violence are not immediately available.
This is a developing story. Please check again for updates.